Socket for multilamp flash unit



Dec. 1, 1970 D. E. BEACH 4, 4

SOCKET FOR MULTILAMP FLASH UNIT Filed Oct. 8, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet, 1

DAVID E. BEACH IN VENTOR.

BY &

Dec. 1, 1970 o. E. BEACH 3,544,243

- I SOCKET FOR MULTILAMP FLASH UNIT Filed Oct. 8, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 DAVID E. BEACH INVENTOR.

BY M

lzww ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,544,248 SOCKET FOR MULTILAMP FLASH UNIT David E. Beach, Rochester, N.Y., assignor to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Oct. 8, 1968, Ser. No. 765,931 Int. Cl. F21k 5/02 US. Cl. 431-93 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A socket construction which provides rigid support for inserted, percussion-firable, multilamp, photoflash units is disclosed in several embodiments. One embodiment provides flexible retaining fingers, a central stabilizing stud and a plurality of upright protective and bearing members which protect the flexible fingers and define open ended slots adapted to receive an inserted flash unit. The slot sides rigidly support against percussion impact, the webs of an inserted flash unit which webs in turn support the ignition tubes of the flash unit, making the percussion firing more reliable. Another embodiment provides members located radially outwardly from the main socket body to provide localized support for the ignition elements of an inserted flash unit. Other modifications and embodiments of this type of socket are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Reference is made to commonly assigned U.S. application Ser. No. 765,930, entitled Multilamp Flash Unit, filed Oct. 8, 1968, in the name of David E. Beach.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The present invention relates to flash photography and more particularly to a socket for use with a camera or other photographic apparatus which is adapted to operably support disposable multilamp photoflash units for ignition.

Description of the prior art There previously has been developed a unitary package containing a plurality of photoflash lamps and individual reflectors such as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. 3,244,087, issued on Apr. 5, 1966. In use, lamps in a package of this type are sequentially aligned with respect to the picture-taking axis of a camera and electrically ignited in synchronization with the actuation of the camera shutter.

More recently a similar multilamp photoflash unit has been developed which does not require application of an electrical potential for firing. In such units a primer charge in a metal tube that extends from the bottom of the lamp is ignited by percussion and in turn ignites a combustible material and combustion supporting gas sealed in the lamp envelope.

Although such a percussion ignitable flash unit offers an important advantage by precluding the necessity for an electric ignition source, several problems have arisen in adapting this type of unit for reliable use with photographic apparatus.

Firstly, it has been found that an important factor affecting the reliability in firing of percussion ignitable flash lamps such as described above, is the rigidity of the primer tube during striking. A problem is therefore presented in providing means for mounting these flash units in photographic apparatus with the primer tubes supported rigid with respect to the apparatus for percussion striking. This problem is compounded by the additional considerations that such a flash lamp unit deice.

sirably should be conveniently attachable and removable and the receiving support should desirably be movable with respect to the photographic apparatus to index successive lamps of a received unit.

A second problem presented with respect to the percussion-firable flash units is that the base of the unit should be supported rigidly as described above yet accessible for the primer tubes of the unit to receive a striking blow from a firing mechanism. This problem is amplified by the consideration that a base and cooperating socket should desirably provide a large zone of access to enable percussion by various different striking mechanisms that might be advantageously utilized in different photographic apparatus using the flash lamp unit.

The known prior art apparatus and procedures relating to the firing of photographic flash powder are very old art and do not provide any acceptable solution for the problems outlined above. Likewise, the more recent art relating to electrically-fired, multilamp units does not provide teachings helpful in overcoming the difficulties presented in obtaining the rigid support which also affords a large striking zone for a percussion fired lamp.

SUMMARY OF THE IBWENTION The present invention is addressed to the problems pointed out above and provides means mountable on a photographic apparatus for removably receiving a percussion-firable, multilamp unit in a manner such that the primer tubes of the unit are held rigidly with respect to the apparatus yet disposed for percussion striking within a large striking zone.

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide an improved socket structure for use in a photographic apparatus to support a percussion-firable multilamp, photoflash unit for firing and aligning rotation in a photographic apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved socket for supporting percussion-firable, multilamp, flash unit rigid with respect to a photographic apparatus yet providing for facile attachment and removal of the flash unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a socket for rigidly supporting a multilamp unit of percussion-firable flash lamps and for allowing a large zone of access for firing percussion.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a socket for receiving and supporting a percussionfirable, multilamp, photoflash unit, said socket having an inexpensive and readily fabricated structure adapted for mounting in photographic apparatus for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the attached drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a photographic apparatus and flash unit of the type with which the present invention can be used.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of percussion-firable, multilamp flash unit with which the present invention can be used;

FIG. 2a is a perspective view of one socket embodiment according to the present invention, mounted on a photographic apparatus such as is shown in FIG. 1 and adapted to receive and cooperate with the embodiment of flash unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the flash unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the base of the flash unit shown in FIG. 2. when mounted in the socket embodiment shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the flash unit of FIG. 2 inserted in the socket embodiment of my present invention which is shown in FIG. 6', the section being taken along the line 88 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of flash unit which can be used with my present invention;

FIG. 9a is a perspective view of another embodiment of my novel socket which is adapted to cooperate with the flash unit shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the flash unit base shown in FIG. 9 inserted in the socket embodiment shown in FIG. 9a;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention adapted to cooperate with the flash unit shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 10 but of the socket in FIG. 11 with the flash unit shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention which is adapted to receive the flash unit shown in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-section of the socket in FIG. 13 with the unit of FIG. 9 inserted therein.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a photographic apparatus of the type with which the present invention can be advantageously used is shown with the present invention indicated schematically as 30. In this figure the socket 30 is shown with a flash unit 10 received and supported for ignition and indexing rotation on a still camera 20. It will of course be appreciated that the present invention can also be used with equal advantage with camera flashadapters, auxiliary flash units or other separate flash mounts.

Because photographic cameras which cooperate with multilamp flash units and sockets are generally shown, the present description will be directed in particular to elements forming part of or cooperating more directly with the present invention, elements not specifically shown or described herein being understood to be selectable from those known in the art.

When used in photographic apparatus a flash unit such as 10 is, according to the present invention, inserted in a socket 30 with the ignition tubes 11 extending to a location opposite a suitable percussion-firing mechanism 21 located adjacent thereto. In operation the firing mechanism can be cocked by movement of a film advancing lever 22, and released by a shutter release lever 23. The socket 34) is adapted to be rotatably mounted on the camera 20 and indexed in a known manner about an axis of rotation 24 to present successive unused lamps in alignment with the camera picture-taking axis.

In FIGS. Z-S one specific embodiment of the present invention is shown in conjunction with a flash unit 10 having a novel base construction 40, which base as well as base 50, subsequently referred to, form a part of the subject matter of my co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 765,930, entitled Multilamp Flash Unit. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the integrally molded base 40, forms a bottom wall 41 of flash unit 10 with the ignition tubes 11 of the individual percussion-firable lamps 12 extending through openings in wall 41 which are formed in base 40 spaced around the axis of rotation 24 of the flash unit. An open ended retaining post 43 is comprised of four walls 43a which extend from the central portion of'bottom wall 42 in the manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and define a retaining cavity 43b. Also in FIGS. 2 and 3 it can be seen that the base 40 also comprises a plurality of webs 44 extending generally radially outwardly from post 43 towards the ignition tubes 11. In the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the web 44 comprises a narrowed section 45 and an enlarged end portion 46. Referring in particular to FIG. 2 it can be seen that only a lower section of the enlarged end portion 46 extends beneath ignition tubes 11 and that the tubes 11 are attached at their bottom ends to portions 46 so 'that the main body of the tube is spaced outwardly from the remaining portion of webs 44 and retaining post 43 in a location disposed for striking from within a wide zone. The walls 43a of retaining post 43 also define retention openings 47 located between each pair of adjacent webs 44.

Referring now to FIGS. 2a, 4 and 5 in addition to the previously described FIGS. 2 and 3, one embodiment of my present invention will be described in conjunction with the base 40 with which it can cooperate. In FIGS. 2a, 4 and 5 it can be seen that socket 30 is an integral structure, which can be fabricated by injection molding, and comprises a support member or lower portion 31 adapted to be mounted for rotation on an axis 24 in a photographic apparatus. Suitable indexing stops can be provided around the periphery of lower portion 31 to cooperate with appropriate mechanism in photographic apparatus and sequentially align the socket 30 in selected positions in a known manner. A stabilizing stud 32 extends upwardly along axis 24 from the generally planar surface of lower portion 31. A plurality of resilient retaining fingers 33 likewise extend upwardly from portion 31 and are spaced around and generally parallel to the stabilizing stud-32. In FIG. 4 it can be seen that each of fingers 33 includes a projection spaced from lower portion 31 and extending inwardly towards stud 32, the projection having upper and lower ramped surfaces adapted to cooperate with suitable retaining structure, such as post 43 of the flash unit 10.

-By referring to FIG. 2a, 4 and 5 it can be seen that socket 30 also includes a plurality of generally U-shaped protective and bearing members 34 which extend upwardly from portion 31 around three sides of each retaining fingers 33. The members 34 are spaced so as to define between adjacent-pairs, a plurality of open ended slots 36 that are adapted to receive the webs 44 of an inserted flash unit 10. It can also be seen that adjacent sides of these members provide rigid support for inserted webs against force in a direction perpendicular to tubes 11 held by the webs. The upright members 34 in this embodiment therefore serve the dual purpose of protecting the resilient fingers 33 from damaging impacts from around the periphery of the socket 30 and providing bearing supports for'the webs 44 of an inserted flash unit during percussion striking of the ignition tubes supported by the webs. It will be noted that because the bearing support for the webs is provided inwardly from the ignition tubes, a large striking zone is aflorded within which different striking mechanisms can operate. The embodiment of socket 30 shown in FIG. Za'also includes a cover flange 37 extending around the socket top and having openings adapted to receive the webs 44 of the flash unit 10. 1

FIG. 4 shows the manner in which the stabilizing stud 32 of the socket 30 cooperates with the post 43 of the flash unit 40. It also can be seen how the peripheries of openings 47 formed in the walls 43a of post 43 are engaged by ramped projections on retaining fingers 33 of this embodiment of my novel socket.

In FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 another embodiment of my present invention, socket 30' is shown. The socket 30' is similar to socket 30 described above; however, in this embodi ment, the members 38' extending radially outwardly from bottom portion 31' are each provided with upwardly extending lips 39. In FIGS. 7 and 8 it can be seen that the lips 39 on members 38' provide additional bearing surfaces for the ends of webs 44 of a received flash unit. The bearing support provided at this location is particularly effective to rigidity the firing tubes of the supported web because flexure movement of the web during striking of the tubes 11 is substantially reduced.

In FIG. 8, the zone z, within which a striking mechanism can fire the ignition tubes of a flash unit inserted in my improved socket, can be seen. It will be appreciated that such a wide zone affords the designer of photographic apparatus a great degree of flexibility which would not otherwise be possible. For example, with the present invention, the firing tube 11 can be struck from either side of the socket, i.e., from the top or bottom in FIG. 8, or from the front, i.e., the right in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 9, another percussion-firable, multilamp, unit 10' with which the present invention can be used is disclosed. Flash unit 10' is provided with a different base 50 from that shown in FIG. 2. The base 50 of this embodiment includes a bottom wall 51 with openings 52 and a post 53 defined by members 53a such as in FIG. 2. However, it will be noted that in this embodiment that webs 54 extend from post 53 into attachment with tubes 11 along their entire height from wall 51. It is to be particularly noted that the webs 54 of this embodiment are of thickness less than the diameter of ignition tubes 11. This construction aflords a stable support for the pins while still maintaining a large striking zone for ignition.

In FIG. 94: another embodiment of my present invention which is adapted to cooperate with a flash unit 10' such as is disclosed in FIG. 9 is shown. This socket 60, is very similar to that shown in FIG. 2a, however, it will be noted that slots 66 defined between protective and bearing members 64 are of width less than the diameter of the ignition tube 11 so as to rigidly support the reduced thickness web yet allow a large striking zone. Again retaining fingers 63 and stabilizing stud 62 are provided to facilitate attachment, support and removal of the flash unit 10'.

FIG. 10 shows a cross-section of the socket 60 with flash unit 10' inserted and illustrating the striking zone 2 aflorded by this embodiment of my invention.

FIG. 11 discloses another embodiment of the present invention which can be used with the flash unit 10' shown in FIG. 9. Socket 70 in this instance comprises a stabilizing stud 72 similar to that described with respect to previous embodiments; however, in this embodiment, upright members 74 extend radially inwardly and occupy the spaces in which fingers were located in previous embodiments. The members 74 define slots 76 with bearing surfaces to rigidly support webs of an inserted flash unit and additionally provide inner surfaces 74a adapted to contact the post 53 of an inserted flash unit. Resilient means such as a spring, spring loaded member, or resilient projection can be provided to extend from surfaces 74a to engage the openings 57 in the post 53. Or, as shown, the fit of surfaces 74a with post 53, in conjunction with stabilizing stud 72, can be used to retain a flash unit such as 10. The zone of firing for this socket will, of course, be the same as socket 60.

FIG. 13 discloses yet another embodiment of the present invention which is adapted for use with either of flash units 10 or 10' described above. In this socket 80, stabilizing stud 82, resilient retaining fingers 83 and the bearing edges 89 on the ends of extensions 88 are utilized to removably retain and rigidly support a flash unit. Although the advantage of protective and bearing members around the retaining fingers is not present with this embodiment, the localized bearing support at the striking zone provides the requisite rigidity for reliable firing of ignition tubes 11. Again the zone afforded for striking will 'be similar to that described with respect to socket 60 above.

It will be appreciated that the present invention provides improved means for preventing movement of ignition tubes of percussion-firable, multilamp units and therefor serves to increase reliability of such units when used in photographic apparatus. It will be further appreciated that the present invention provides such support in a manner allowing easy removal and insertion of the flash units and affording a large zone for striking mechanism of photographic apparatus.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described hereinabove and as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A socket adapted to detachably retain and rigidly support a multilamp photoflash unit on photographic apparatus, the socket having an axis of rotation and comprising:

(a) photoflash unit retaining means for engaging a photoflash unit in a position spaced radially from said axis of rotation to retain releasably the photoflash unit in said socket; and

(b) bearing surfaces spaced radially from said axis of rotation for engaging a photoflash unit approximately 45 from the position of engagement between said retaining means and a secured photoflash unit to support a portion of the photoflash unit against rotation relative to said bearing surfaces.

2. A socket adapted to detachably retain and rigidly support a photoflash unit, said socket comprising:

(a) a support member having an axis of rotation and adapted for mounting on apparatus for rotation about said axis;

(b) a photoflash unit retaining finger spaced radially from said axis of rotation; and

(c) a bearing surface spaced approximately 45 from said retaining finger and extending generally radially toward said axis of rotation for rigidly supporting a photoflash unit.

3. A socket adapted to detachably retain and rigidly support a photoflash unit, said socket comprising:

(a) a support member having an axis of rotation and adapted for mounting on apparatus for rotation about said axis;

(b) a plurality of photoflash unit retaining fingers spaced radially about said axis of rotation; and

(0) means defining a plurality of slots extending radially towards said axis of rotation and spaced approximately 45 from an adjacent retaining finger.

4. The invention defined in claim 3 further comprising a stabilizing stud located inwardly from said retaining fingers and extending from said support member, along said axis of rotation.

5. The invention defined in claim 3 wherein said support member includes a plurality of supports respectively extending radially outwardly beneath said slots, each of said supports including means located radially outwardly from said slots for rigidly supporting a portion of an inserted photoflash unit against rotation relative to said support member.

6. A socket adapted to detachably retain and rigidly support a photoflash unit, said socket comprising:

(a) a support member having an axis of rotation and adapted for mounting on apparatus for rotation about said axis;

(b) a plurality of photoflash unit retaining fingers spaced radially from said axis of rotation and angularly from each other;

(e) a retaining projection extending from each of said fingers radially towards said axis of rotation; and

(d) a plurality of bearing members radially spaced from said axis of rotation and angularly spaced from each other to define slots, each slot being spaced approximately 45 from an adjacent retaining finger and having vertical axes parallel with said axis of rotation and horizontal axes extending radially towards said axis of rotation.

7. The invention defined in claim 6 wherein each of said bearing members includes at least one bearing surface extending generally radially towards said axis of rotation, said slots being defined in part by said bearing surfaces, and said bearing surfaces being adapted to engage portions of a photoflash unit inserted in said slots and to rigidly support said photoflash unit against rotation relative to said support member.

8. The invention defined in claim -6'further compris ing a stabilizing stud located inwardly from said retaining fingers and extending from said support member along said axis of rotation.

9. Acne-piece molded socket adapted to detachably hold a percussion-firable, multilamp, photoflash unit, said socket comprising: 1

(a) a support member having an axis of rotation and adapted for mounting in a photographic apparatus for rotation about said axis;

(b) a plurality of flexible retaining fingers disposed radially about said axis of rotation and extending from said support memberin a direction parallel with said axis, each of said fingers having a projection extending radially relative to said axis and defining cam surfaces which are engageable with mating surfaces on the photoflash unit, said cam surfaces defining opposing planes transverse to said axis; and

() generally cylindrical outer wall segments coaxial with said support member and located radially outwardly from said fingers, said wall segments defining a plurality of open slots extending radially inward toward said axis, each slot being open at one end and respectively located approximately'45" from an adjacent retaining finger.

10. The invention defined in claim 9 wherein said slots are adapted to receive portions of an inserted flash unit which support the percussion-firable elements of that unit and said segments of said wall include means for rigidly supporting the inserted supports of the percussion-firable elements.

11. The' invention defined in claim 9 wherein said socket includes means extending radially outwardly from said support member for rigidly supporting percussionfirable elements of an inserted flash unit at a location radially outward from said outer wall segments.

12. The invention defined in claim 11 wherein said rigid support means includes bearing members adapted to contact an inserted flash unit at a location spaced outwardly from said outer wall segments.

13. A socket adapted to detachably retain and rigidly support a multilamp photoflash unit, said socket comprising:

(a) a support member having an axis of rotation and being mountable on a photographic apparatus for from said axis of rotation for engaging a photovflash unit, each of said slots being spaced intermediate an adjacent pair of said positions of engagement of said retaining means and a secured photoflash unit to support a portion of a photoflash unit against rotation relative to said support member. 14. A socket as defined in claim 13 wherein said retaining means engages a photoflash unit in four positions spaced approximately from each other.

15. A one-piece molded socket adapted to detachably hold a photofiash'unit, said socketcomprising:

(a) a support member having an axis of. rotation and adapted for mounting in a photographic apparatus for rotation about said axis;

(b) a plurality of retaining fingers extending from said support member in a direction parallel with said axis;

(c) a projection extending radially from each of said fingers relative to said axis and defining cam surfaces which are engageable with mating surfaces on the photoflash unit, said cam surfaces defining opposing planes transverse to said axis; and

(d) a generally cylindrical outer wall coaxial with said support member and located radially outwardly from said fingers, said wall defining a pluralityof slots, each slot being located intermediate adjacent pairs of said retaining fingers, and extending radially inward towards said axis and terminating in an open end.

. 16; A'multilamp flash unit socket having an axis of rotationand being mountable on apparatus for rotation about said axis, said socket comprising:

means spaced radially from said axis for detachably retaining a received multilamp flash unit in said socket, adjacent. ones of said means being ina non-opposing relationship; and

means defining opposed surfaces spaced radially from said axis and intermediate, adjacent ones of said retaining means for preventing rotation of a received multilampflash unit relative to said socket.

V 17. A socket mountable in apparatus for receiving a multilamp flash unit, said socket comprising:

means for mounting said socket on the apparatus for rotation about an axis;

sets of opposed surfaces, said setsbeing disposed radially from said axis and angularly from each other by less than for preventing rotation of a received flash unit relative to said socket; and

means spaced radially from said axis and intermediate adjacent sets of opposed support surfaces for retaining a received flash unit in said socket.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1967 Aymar 240-1.3 3/ 1967 Aymar 240 -1.3

EDWARD J. MICHAEL, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

